Leaders of Thai Nguyen provincial People’s Committee welcome World Bank’s Country Director for Vietnam

In the afternoon of 12th June, Mr. Duong Ngoc Long - Deputy Secretary of Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of Thai Nguyen Provincial People’s Committee had a welcome meeting with Mrs. Victoria Kwakwa, World Bank’s Country Director for Vietnam (photo). Mrs. Doan Thi Hao, Vice Chairman of Thai Nguyen Provincial People’s Council, leaders of Department of Planning and Investment, Department of Finance, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Construction, Thai Nguyen city People’s Committee are also present at the meeting.

At the meeting, Mr. Duong Ngoc Long stated that since 1995, Thai Nguyen has received 8 projects by World Bank with committed capital of 536,507 billion VND, most of which are preferential loan. There are 05 completed projects which are being exploited and bringing practical effectiveness for people at the project regions; 02 projects which are handed over and performing final settlement; 01 project is going to be implemented called Urban Development Program in the Northern Mountains region- Thai Nguyen city. Total investment capital of World Bank for the province currently is over 451 billion VND, account for 84% of committed capital of WB and about 20% of the provincial needs for ODA. These projects contributed for the infrastructure upgrading, the socio-economic development and also promoting the competence of managing cadres and citizens. They have positive impact on socio-economy of the province.

Mr. Long confirmed that Thai Nguyen expects to develop the partnership with WB in implementing socio-economic plans of the province until 2020 and until 2030. Also, he committed to propose suitable solution to carry out successfully all WB’s projects. He kindly requested WB and Mrs. Victoria Kwakwa to continue giving good conditions for the province to attract and participate in WB funded programs, ie, sustainable development and poverty alleviation for ethnic minorities;  upgrading urban infrastructure of Song Cong town; building two bridges across Cau river in Thai Nguyen province; constructing rural transportation, improving medical infrastructure, remedies for environmental pollution. 

On this occasion, Mr. Long expressed his sincere thanks to WB and Mr. Victoria Kwakwa and her co-workers for their support in the recent years and would like to get long-term cooperation in the future.

Mrs. Victoria Kwakwa thanked for his warm welcome of the Chairman and appreciated the cooperation with Thai Nguyen province. She promised to support and supplement the funds, however, WB has to work with Ministry of Planning and Investment. In the next few years, WB will consider adding funds especially for provincial poverty alleviation. Besides, WB is willing to support Thai Nguyen to inquire to learn from other nations’ experiences in programs for rural and mountain  regions, poverty alleviation.